找出路 (zhǎo chū lù) — to look for a way out; to seek a solution (literal or figurative)

Definition

A verb-object phrase meaning 'to find a way out' — usually figurative, used for problems, difficulties, or life situations (not physical exits). The object 出路 is itself a noun meaning 'way out / future prospects'.

verb
to look for a way outto seek a solution (literal or figurative)

Examples

  • ，找出路。
    Miàn duì kùn nan, wǒ men yào jī jí zhǎo chū lù.
    When facing difficulties, we must actively seek a way out.
  • ，。
    Tā zhǎo le jǐ tiáo chū lù, dōu bú tài mǎn yì.
    He looked for several ways out but wasn't satisfied with any of them.
  • 找出路。
    Gōng sī zhèng zài wèi jīng jì wèn tí zhǎo chū lù.
    The company is currently seeking a way out of its economic problems.

Origin

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
扌Written in full as手shǒuhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
戈
戈gē找zhǎo
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

找 pairs 扌 (hand) with 戈 as a sound part. The idea that it shows a hand looking for a halberd is only a memory trick.

Open 找 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

出 combines 止 (foot) and 凵 (cave) to show a foot stepping out of a cave.

Open 出 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
足足zú
Sound part声符shēngfú
各
各gè路lù
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

路 combines 足, a foot, with 各, which supplies the sound.

Open 路 →

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